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The Carnival
We're about to take you on a tour of Venice throughout the centuries. You will discover through history and culture how the Carnival used to be celebrated and how it is celebrated today in a city like Venice.
The Carnival in Venice started in the year 1162 to celebrate a victory of the Serenissima republic in the war against Ulrico,Patriarch of Aquileia.
To celebrate this victory dances take place in San Marco square.
During the Serenissima republic carnival started three days early with dances in the Corte del Fondaco dei Turchi. The Venetians loved dancing and many other places were popular for this activity the most famous of which is le Zattere.
People danced even in the courtyards of convents (permitted only until sunset). Some of these balls weren't free, as a painting by Gabriel Bella records - depicting a slice of Venetian life and its festivities. In it can be seen young people enjoying themselves dancing, a pipe smoker wearing a tricorn and musicians near the steps bringing joy to the party.Republic...
The first reference to masks is in a document dating from May 2, 1268, when it was recorded that it was forbidden for masqueraders to practise the "game of the eggs".
On February 22, 1339, a decree was passed prohibiting masqueraders from patrolling the city at night and a clear indication of just how libertine Venetians had become is the law of 1458, forbidding men from entering convents dressed as women for immoral purposes.
The mask in the city of Venice has ancient origins and was used for many months of the year. Masks were allowed from the day of Santo Stefano, which marked the start of the Venetian carnival, to midnight of Shrove Tuesday which marked the end. (Naturally, they were forbidden on days of religious festivals).
As well as at this time of year, the Venetians wore masks during the fortnight of the Ascension, and ended up wearing it, with a few exceptions, right up to half-way through June. Later on, it was permitted to wear a mask from the 5th October up to the start of the Christmas novena (16th December).
More information about Carnival in Venice at Carnival Of Venice official site